With its formal return on SonyLiv on January 5, 2026, Shark Tank India has heightened anticipation among fans and brands. The show, in which entrepreneurs present their business concepts to an influential panel of investors in the hope of securing capital, mentorship, and visibility, has come to represent India’s entrepreneurial boom over the years.
Season 5 elevates the standard while maintaining the same basic structure. These days, entrepreneurs deal with a wider and more varied collection of Sharks who provide deeper insights and a wider range of experience. This season promises more intense discussions and sharper business conversations due to larger goals, higher-stakes pitches, and stricter inspections.
So, what’s new this season? Who are the new Sharks in Shark Tank India? Which brands have appeared so far, and what key takeaways should founders note from Shark Tank India Season 5?
Let’s investigate. Everything you need to know about Shark Tank India Season 5 is covered in this blog.
What’s New in Shark Tank India Season 5
With a more ambitious, diverse, and growing format, Season 5 debuts with a bang. Let’s examine what’s new in Shark Tank India Season 5 in more detail:
- Larger pool of sharks: Season 5’s expanded panel of Shark Tank judges gave founders access to a broader range of industry knowledge, more insightful criticism, and more competitive deal-making.
- Campus Special for Students: In order to encourage young people to present early-stage concepts and obtain exposure and real-world experience, a new part will now concentrate on student-led enterprises.
- Broader Startup Categories: This season will include more AI and SaaS platforms, digital fashion, edutainment companies, contemporary Indian food brands, and more, in contrast to the previous season’s focus on D2C brands and FMCG.
- Increased Attention to Scalability: Shark Tank India judges will be more business-focused, placing greater emphasis on unit economics, scalability, and long-term vision.
Complete List of Shark Tank Season 5 Judges
A panel of 15 investors comprises the fifth season of Shark Tank India, and several newcomers have joined to offer fresh insights into investing. However, the show still features well-known judges who have contributed significantly to previous seasons and whose combined net worth is in the thousands of crores.
Let’s start by examining the familiar names serving as Shark Tank India season 5 judges
1. Aman Gupta, co-founder of boAt
One of the best-known Shark Tank India sharks is Aman Gupta, who co-founded Boat and targets young people with a range of everyday audio products. He has a net worth of about Rs 720 crore.
2. Anupam Mittal, Founder of Shaadi.com
One of the first online entrepreneurs in India, Anupam Mittal, founded Shaadi.com, a website that transformed the matchmaking sector. He is well-known for his keen attention to scalable and sustainable business strategies and has a net worth of approximately Rs 185 crore.
3. Namita Thapar, Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals
With the experience of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, which her father created, Namita is one of the inspirational women with a greater understanding of the healthcare industry. She has a net worth of 600 crore, supports startups, and is an honest judge.
4. Vineeta Singh, Founder of Sugar Cosmetics
Vineeta Singh, the founder of Sugar Cosmetics, built it for Indian skin tones. With a net worth of Rs 300 crore, she brings resilience, discipline, and strategic guidance to founders.
5. Peyush Bansal, Founder of Lenskart
As the founder of Lenskart, a company that combines fashion and technology in eyewear. He favors purpose-driven enterprises and has a net worth of Rs 600 crore.
6. Ritesh Agarwal, Founder of OYO Rooms
Ritesh, the youngest Shark Tank India judge, left college to establish OYO Rooms, a global hospitality business. He delivers ambition and scale-driven insights to entrepreneurs, and his net worth is approximately Rs 16,000 crore.
7. Amit Jain, Co-founder of CarDekho
Amit, a co-founder of CarDekho, built a technology-driven unicorn from Jaipur. An IIT graduate with a net worth of around Rs 2,900 crore, he helps founders focus on cash flow, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
8. Kunal Bahl, Co-founder of Snapdeal & Titan Capital
He is the co-founder of Snapdeal and Titan Capital. Kunal has backed several successful startups. With a net worth of Rs 900 crore, he values adaptability and resilience.
9. Viraj Bahl, Founder of Veeba Foods
Veeba Foods, a well-known FMCG brand in sauces and condiments, was founded by Viraj Bahl. He supports people who learn from failures and has a net worth of about Rs 200 crore.
New Sharks in Shark Tank India
This season marks a major refresh of the popular reality business show, with the new Shark Tank India Season 5 judges bringing more energy, heightened drama, tougher competition, and sharper insights for aspiring founders.
Let’s take a look at the new judges panel:
1. Varun Alagh, Co-founder of Honasa Consumer
Varun Alagh is the co-founder of Honasa Consumer, the company behind brands like Mamaearth and The Derma Co. With a net worth of around Rs 450 crore, he focuses on scalable consumer brands and purpose-driven businesses
2. Mohit Yadav, Co-founder of Minimalist
Mohit Yadav is the co-founder of Minimalist, a science-backed skincare brand. With a net worth of approximately Rs 200 crore, he emphasizes product innovation, consumer trust, and long-term brand building.
3. Kanika Tekriwal, Founder of JetSetGo
Kanika Tekriwal is the founder of JetSetGo, India’s first private jet marketplace. With a net worth of around Rs 350 crore, she brings expertise in aviation, operations, and scaling niche startups, helping founders think big.
4. Hardik Kothiya, Founder of Rayzon Solar
Hardik Kothiya is the founder of Rayzon Solar, a renewable energy company. With a net worth of about Rs 150 crore, he focuses on sustainable ventures, innovative energy solutions, and long-term impact.
5. Shaily Mehrotra, Founder of Fixderma
Shaily Mehrotra is the founder of Fixderma, a dermatology-focused skincare company. With a net worth of approximately Rs 120 crore, she provides insights into healthcare, product efficacy, and market penetration.
6. Pratham Mittal, Founder of Masters’ Union and Tetr College of Business
Pratham Mittal is the founder of Masters’ Union and Tetr College of Business, institutions focused on building next-generation entrepreneurs. With a net worth of around Rs 50 crore, he emphasizes innovation, leadership, and mentorship for young founders.
Brands That Have Appeared So Far:
1.Truth & Hair:
- Brand Type: Clean, science-backed haircare
- Co-founder: Saumya Alagh
- What they do: Offers transparent, science-first haircare solutions focused on clean formulations and real results
2. MYPB:
- Brand Type: Health & nutrition (peanut butter powder)
- Founder: Pujn Kachhadiya
- What they do: India’s first peanut butter powder brand with 85% less fat, 1/3 calories, and 2× protein
3. EMORI
- Brand Type: Premium lifestyle & consumer brand
- Founder: Arushi Jain
- What they do: Build a premium lifestyle brand with strong design and market positioning
4. Loopie
- Brand Type: Fashion resale & circular economy
- Founder: Akriti Gupta
- What they do: Focuses on resale-driven fashion with quality-led products
5. Guugly Wuugly
- Brand Type: Kids’ apparel & fashion
- Founder: Ravi Kumar Gupta
- What they do: Children’s clothing brand targeting India’s growing kidswear market
6. SEPOY&CO.
- Brand Type: Premium botanical mixer brand
- Founder: Angad Soni
- What they do: Craft premium cocktail mixers
7. GOAT LIFE
- Brand Type: Ready-to-drink breakfast brand
- Founder: Yash Kalra
- What they do: offer ready-to-drink, protein-packed overnight oats for a convenient, nutritious, on-the-go breakfast.
8. Smylo
- Brand Type: Natural pet food brand
- Founder: Abhishek Agrawal & Kartikeya Gupta
- What they do: Provide fresh, natural, preservative-free cat food that’s nutritious, safe, and tasty for healthy pets.
9. Phitku
- Brand Type: Natural personal care brand
- Founder: Neha Marda
- What they do: Offer natural, alum-based, toxin-free deodorants and skincare for safe, gentle daily care.
10. Bonkers Corner
- Brand Type: Youth-focused streetwear fashion brand
- Founder: Shubham Gupta
- What they do: Design bold, oversized streetwear with comfort-focused, pop-culture-inspired styles.
Key Takeaways from the Journey of Brands
As you watch Shark Tank India episodes, you naturally pick up your own learnings. But the brands that make it to the Tank experience something deeper, they face real-time challenges, tough questioning, and different perspectives from each Shark. Since every Shark has a unique mindset and investment style, founders must be prepared from every angle to make their presence truly impactful.
So, here are some key learnings you should take away:
- Know your numbers inside and out: Before making a pitch, review all of your company’s numbers, including sales, margins, CAC, and scalability. Instant believability is enhanced by numerical confidence.
- Be crystal clear about your problem and solution: Investors won’t believe your idea if you can’t articulate it well. When pitching, clarity is crucial.
- Expect tough questions: You are competing, so be prepared for the questions and your answers, which are just as important as your words.
- Be open to feedback: According to Shark Tank judges, founders who listen, learn, and are prepared to adjust to change are valued, so don’t be a freigle.
- Be ready with your founder story: Sharks will relate to you more than just your business plan if you have a strong sense of purpose, passion, and tenacity.
Final Thought
The real power behind the Tank lies in the Shark Tank India Season 5 judges who go beyond just investing money. Through opening doors to new opportunities, their combined experience, wisdom, and advice actively strengthen India’s startup ecosystem and redefine the true meaning of investment.
This path requires bravery, taking calculated risks, and faith in their goal for founders. Entering the world of entrepreneurship involves more than simply altering one’s own way of life; it also entails motivating a whole generation to create, lead, and invent. India’s progress in all sectors will continue to be fueled by this desire and enthusiasm.